RV Mfg's Missing a new market segment

westernrvparkowner wrote:
The OP loves his statistics. Here are a few facts about the percentages of single men vs women in the Baby Boomer Generation. At ages 50-54, there are equal numbers of single men and single women. At ages 60-64, there are close to 2.3 single women to every single man. By ages 70-74, the ratio is 4 to 1.
This means that as the population of the baby boomers age, more and more single women make up his 33 percent. Sexist connotations aside, as the owner of a RV Park, I can say with reasonable certainty, that 70 year old single, divorced and widowed women do not comprise a significant portion of the RV market. Even if every one of those 70+ women wanted a platonic male companion to share an RV, these statistics tell us that only one in four would be able to successfully find one their own age.
The RV industry isn't the only industry that doesn't build for this elusive market. Go to any 55+ community and ask for homes with dual masters. Out of their 20 plus floorplans, there may be one and the on site realtors will tell you it isn't one of the more popular plans.
Hotels, cruise ships and most other lodging will offer two beds in a room, but you won't get separate quarters without renting two rooms or cabins. The OP's market is simply not significant enough to be considered in the marketing and business plans of most any business.

According to the PRB and the US Census as of 2014 there were 76.4 million baby boomers.

33 Per Cent of that is 25 Million 212 Thousand SINGLE Baby Boomers. Even divided by sex those are large numbers and a significant market.

Dividing them by sex may not be as instructive as it seems. I see many older women alone and with friends and I see tons of single men both with friends and alone. And as they age my guess is they will be looking to partner with a friend for many reasons to continue to RV. Therefore I see the aging increasing the likelihood of the trend NOT decreasing it.

Even if you allow for Percent of RV owners and those of advanced age not RV'ing (which I dispute) then you still have MILLIONS of potential customers.

As for your assumption that those that are older are not RV'ing...well the numbers are certainly lower, however I have met many single women in their 70's and 80's traveling together. One I met in Florida was near 90. She certainly didnt act or look it.(she was traveling with her friend in a Class C)

In any case your view from Montana may not be the best perch to see this trend from. But if you are in AZ, Texas, Florida, Baja and Southern Ca it's another matter.